If you’re looking for a mattress that’s going to help your children get a good night’s sleep, you might be wondering what specific things they need in a mattress that adults don’t. While comfort is certainly important for both you and your kids, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when you’re trying to figure out which is the best mattress for kids.
In this guide, we’ll explain the features you should look for in a kid’s mattress and review some of the highest rated ones available. We’ve rounded up fourteen of the best to give you an opportunity to compare them all in one place.
Top 14 Mattresses for Kids Ultimate Table
Essentials of a Good Night’s Sleep
If you’re a parent, you know that sleep is not something that comes easily. If your kids don’t sleep all night, you don’t either. That’s why it is important to do everything you can to make sure your kids have whatever they need to sleep through the night, including the perfect mattress.
Comfort is important for everyone, but there are some special things to take into consideration when thinking about kids and sleep.
Types of Mattresses
There are several types of mattresses available that are suitable for kids:
- Innerspring Open Coil – This is considered the “traditional” choice. Innersprings are not as durable or comfortable as other mattresses, but they are typically very affordable. If needed, you can purchase pads to put on the top that will provide an extra layer of cushioning. Of the mattresses we reviewed, none of them are innerspring open coil. They’re just not as comfortable as other types.
- Innerspring Pocket Coils – These are coils that are each wrapped in a pocket of fabric, which makes each coil independent of those surrounding it, allowing it to adapt and support the body a little better than a standard innerspring coil.
- Memory Foam – Memory foam is a very popular choice. It was developed by NASA as a material that can quickly adapt to a person’s shape and then bounce back. It responds to body heat so it will take few minutes to properly conform to the body. There are some varieties of memory foam, including gel memory foam. Gel is interspersed in the foam as a way to absorb and spread heat, therefore keeping the mattress and the person sleeping on it more comfortable.
- Latex Foam – Latex foam can be a little bit more expensive as they’re made from all natural material. If they’re too much money, you can also get some synthetic alternatives and hybrids that mix both natural and synthetic materials.
Kid-Specific Considerations
Because kids sleep for longer stretches of time than adults and because they’re still developing, there are some things to keep in mind when shopping for the best mattress for kids.
- Growth & Development – Children shouldn’t sleep on a really firm mattress. The body is naturally curvy, especially the spine, and it needs to be properly supported. A good mattress can last about 10 years, so keep in mind that your child might have the same mattress throughout middle school and high school or from preschool through elementary school. A lot of growth happens in that time frame, so a mattress that offers flexible support is essential.
- Off-Gassing – This is when toxic gas/fumes are released from synthetic materials. Since children spend a long time every night in direct contact with their mattress, you have to be really careful about this. It’s especially concerning with memory foam mattresses.
Make sure to look for a CertiPUR-US label on your mattress, as this means it’s been tested and is safe. If you’re still concerned, look for an all-natural latex foam mattress or mattress pad that you can add to your child’s existing one as latex is natural and doesn’t have these issues.
- Allergies – If your child suffers from allergies or asthma, latex mattresses are ideal. They not only repel dust mites but are also hypoallergenic with antibacterial qualities that will help everyone breathe a little easier.
Firmness
There are some different things to consider for children when it comes to firmness. As we mentioned earlier, stay away from really firm mattresses. Anything from soft to medium firm is adequate. If you have a mattress that is too firm and your child complains of back pain, it’s easy enough to buy a mattress pad that can make them more comfortable and provide more support.
Note: For our reviews, we stuck to twin sized mattresses as that’s the most common size used for children.
Top 14 Best Mattresses for Kids Reviewed
1. Live and Sleep Resort Sleep Mattress and Pillow
- Firmness – Medium to Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This mattress from Resort Sleep has a 10-inch profile composed of two layers. The top layer consists of 2.5 inches of CertiPUR-US memory foam that is set on top of a high-density base. It has cooling technology to remove excess heat and provides great support. These features will help your kid stay cool and comfortable enough to sleep through the night.
Kids carry a lot of germs, which is why the antimicrobial feature of this mattress makes it perfect for them. It’s also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, which can help any child who has breathing problems due to asthma or allergies. It also comes with a removable, washable cover that’s convenient for young children who may still have bedwetting issues at night.
Included with this mattress is an upgraded memory foam pillow to provide just a little more comfort. Your kids will love sleeping on this mattress.
2. LinenSpa Memory Foam and Innerspring Mattress
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
With a layer of memory foam covering a 6-inch layer of coils for additional support and bounce, this LinenSpa mattress combines reliable design with the newest technology. The quilted knit fabric cover has an additional 1.5 inches of memory foam for added comfort.
This mattress has enough support for a growing child while also being comfortable enough to help coax them into sleeping through the night.
Like the Resort Sleep Twin in our number one spot, this LinenSpa Hybrid also uses CertiPUR-US foam; this means that its manufacturing process does not deplete the ozone. CertiPUR-US foam is also free from lead and mercury and made without formaldehyde. It’s guaranteed not to affect the air quality in your home. A CertiPUR-US mattress is surely good for anyone, but it’s especially nice to know your kids are sleeping on something so safe.
3. Milliard 6-Inch Memory Foam Tri-fold Mattress
- Firmness – Medium
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
If you’re looking for a mattress that’s portable and convenient, try the Milliard Tri-fold mattress. It is made of ultra comfortable CertiPUR-US memory foam that’s ventilated to improve airflow and control heat.
There’s a total of six inches of foam on this mattress, a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam on the top and a supportive layer of dense supporting foam on the bottom. It also comes with a removable cover that can be washed when needed.
This mattress can be used long term but may not last a decade like some of the other mattresses on our list. However, there are so many reasons why this is a great choice if you have a kid. Get one for sleepover guests, campouts, or just keep it close to your bed for those nights when your little one gets scared and wants to sleep in your room. It’s also great for summer camps or when your child is old enough to go off to college.
4. Live and Sleep Resort Ultra Memory Foam
- Firmness – Medium Plush to Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
For a luxurious mattress with three cushioning layers, try the Ultra Twin XL from Live and Sleep. The top layer consists of 2.5 inches of air flow memory foam. Under that comes a one-inch layer of gel infused memory foam followed by 8.5 inches of supporting high-density foam.
It comes with a stretch knit removable cover that is essential for a kid mattress. You can even let your kids try it out in your home. Try it for at least 50 nights and, if your child doesn’t like it, you have until 100 nights to return it and for a full refund.
This mattress is hypoallergenic and has antibacterial protection so that it will give you peace of mind having one for your kids. The foam is also CertiPUR-US certified, so it is safe for your kids and good for the environment.
5. Modway Aveline 8″ Gel Infused Memory Foam
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
The CertiPUR-US certified mattress is made of three layers of memory foam. The top layer is gel-infused and designed to cushion pressure points. The second layer is the gel memory foam, which helps dissipate heat to maintain an ideal temperature which will hopefully keep your kid comfortable and sleeping throughout the night.
The bulk of the mattress is made of a high-density polyurethane memory foam whole body support.
Helping its kid-friendliness is a removable cover so you can take it off and wash it after any bedwetting incidents or as needed to make sure your child is sleeping on a clean, comfortable mattress.
Like most of the options on this list, this mattress will arrive at your home rolled and vacuum sealed in a box. The Modway Aveline will take a little longer than some of the other mattresses to fully expand so if it seems a little smaller than you expected at first, allow some extra time for it to reach its full size.
6. Memory Foam Solutions Visco Elastic Memory Foam
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
The top layer of this mattress is gel infused memory foam, which keeps the bed at a comfortable temperature by helping to absorb and disperse heat. The gel infused layer being on the top instead of in the middle makes this mattress a little firmer than some of the other we reviewed.
One big thing about this mattress is that it’s not CertiPUR-US certified; however, it is PURGreen certified; this means that it’s made in the USA and meet all EPA guidelines as far as being free from chemicals. The PURGreen certification requires independent testing to make sure products are depleting the ozone and don’t contain any harmful metals or chemicals. So, you can still sleep soundly knowing your kids are, too.
This is an affordable option for a kids mattress and very comfortable, but the removable cover isn’t really up to par. If you have a messy kid, you might want to invest in a different cover to protect the mattress itself.
7. Best Price Mattress 8″ Air Flow Memory Foam
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This mattress was manufactured in China. When looking at mattresses that are manufactured outside of the US, it is important to look for the CertiPUR-US certification only because not everyone has the same regulations and you need to know the mattress you’re getting for your kids is safe. The Best Price Mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, so it’s a great choice for your kids.
This mattress has three layers of memory foam, with a high-density charcoal infused memory foam layer on the top that is two inches thick. This mattress is a little firmer than some of the others we reviewed, but that boils down to preference. If your kid likes a firm mattress, this is a good choice.
There’s also a removable, washable cover on this mattress so your kids can always sleep on a clean bed, and the mattress won’t get soiled easily.
8. Eco Terra 11″ Luxury Latex Mattress
- Firmness – Medium
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
For an option that isn’t made of only layers of memory foam, there’s the Eco Terra Luxury Latex Mattress. The surface of this mattress is made of a 100% natural latex foam comfort layer that’s plant based and hypoallergenic, great for kids with asthma or allergies. Latex foam mainly differs from memory foam in how quickly it bounces back compared to memory foam, which has a little more drag.
It’s composed of supportive coils encased in organic fabric that will provide great support in any sleeping position. It is also breathable so your kids won’t get too warm overnight.
There are no chemicals or dyes, no fillers or blends. It is an environmentally responsible mattress that will help make sure that you and your kids get a solid night’s sleep.
9. Best Price Mattress 8-Inch Memory Foam Mattress
- Firmness – Soft to Medium
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This is another mattress from the Best Price brand, also made in China, also CertiPUR-US certified, so it’s safe for you kids.
The top layer of this memory foam mattress is infused with charcoal derived from bamboo, which helps it repel odor and moisture and resist mildew, which makes it ideal for a kids mattress.
The top layer is also infused with green tan and castor oil, both of which are natural ingredients that can help eliminate odor and minimize bacterial growth. Kids can be pretty messy and are always carrying germs around, so the addition of these two natural substances is a great asset for a kids mattress to have.
In addition to the charcoal infused top layer, there are two supporting layers: two inches of ventilated cool foam for temperature regulation and a 4-inch layer of high-density foam for support; this is one of the softer mattresses we reviewed.
10. Signature Sleep Encased Coil Mattress
- Firmness – Medium firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – Yes
This hybrid mattress has a layer of high-density memory foam on the top and bottom of a supporting center of seven-inch coils. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified. The encased coils provide independent support and contour to the shape of the body; this provides equal weight distribution and no stress on pressure points. Perfect for a growing child.
Unlike most of the other mattresses we reviewed, this one will require a base of some kind. The manufacturer recommends using some kind of foundation, and not using one actually voids the warranty. You could use a box spring or slats for support. Without a foundation, the mattress will wear faster, possible sag, and it won’t provide its therapeutic effects as efficiently.
One really great thing about this mattress is that, because is has memory foam on the top and bottom of the coils, this mattress can be flipped; this will help it last a little longer.
11. Perfect Cloud UltraPlush Gel-Max
- Firmness – Medium
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This mattress is designed to be just right for sleepers of any size, which means it can grow with your kid from elementary to high school. Its multi-layer construction consists of a 1.5-inch layer of air infused memory foam for comfort, a two-inch layer of Gel-Max memory foam for temperature control, and a 6.5-inch layer of dense, support foam.
It is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, perfect for your kid and particularly accommodating if he or she suffers from allergies or asthma. There’s also a removable cover to keep the mattress from getting stained or soiled.
These beds are also CertiPUR-US certified and safe for your kiddos and the environment. While most of the mattresses we reviewed for this list offered a warranty, this one is particularly worth mentioning because it lasts for 25 years.
12. Home Life Harmony Sleep 8″ Pocket Spring
- Firmness – Medium
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This is the one of the few coiled mattresses on our list so, if you’re looking for something more than memory foam, this is it. The Home Life Harmony Sleep Luxury Mattress has pocketed coils topped with a layer of foam and a layer of polyester and provides support and comfort.
The independent coils support the back and relieve any pressure placed on the neck, shoulders, etc. Unlike other coiled mattresses we reviewed, this one cannot be flipped; this will affect how long it lasts, but it is still an astounding value for the money.
This is a great kid mattress for the price and is a really good deal. It does not come with a cover, so it’s recommended you get one of those, too, so you can be sure your little ones keep their mattress clean to keep it for a decent length of time.
13. Home Life Euro Top Harmony Sleep Pocket Spring
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This hybrid mattress is a great choice for anyone who likes a little more support. It has an independently encased coils that spread the weight out evenly and relieve any pressure, and there’s a layer of foam and polyester on top of the coils to give you kid a nice, comfortable sleep.
This best mattress for kids is affordable, and your kid might be surprised at how comfortable it is. It is a perfect example of how you can get a lot of comfort for a lot less money than you might think.
There aren’t a lot of special features here – no cover, no antimicrobials, charcoal, green tea, etc. but this is a great inexpensive, comfortable option if you’re looking for something with no frills. If you want to make it more accommodating to your kids, you can always buy a mattress pad that provides the extra features you’re looking for and add it to the top of this basic mattress.
14. Memory Foam Solutions Visco Elastic Mattress
- Firmness – Medium Firm
- Boxspring/foundation required – No
This is another option from Memory Foam Solutions for a comfortable mattress for your kiddo. As with the brand’s other offering that appears on this list, it’s important to note that this mattress is not CertiPUR-US certified, though it has passed the necessary requirements for a PURGreen certification; this speaks to the environmentally friendly processes used during the manufacturing process.
Gel infused memory foam sits on the top of this mattress, which contributes to it being a little more firm than other mattresses we reviewed. The gel foam disperses heat and controls the temperature, so your kid will sleep well through the night no matter what the season.
This mattress is a basic soft and comfortable mattress for any kid, but you should consider investing in a better cover for it. The one it comes with might not hold up very long and, depending on the kid, it would see a lot of wear and tear.
Final Thoughts
In our reviews, we’ve given you fourteen great options for a kid’s mattress and the tools to figure out which is the best for your child. Remember, when your kid gets a good night’s sleep, so do you. That might be the best reason of all to make sure you find the right mattress.
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